Part 15
Moreover, we know that this inheritance has been granted to us in our Lord Jesus Christ, so that as His members, we become children of God through Him and share in what is uniquely His. In the book of Hebrews, He is called the heir of all things, not to exclude us, but because we can only be recognized as God's children by being incorporated into the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom everything belongs. Therefore, if we were to be rejected by God, if we were to be deprived of all the blessings purchased for us by our Lord Jesus Christ, and if this were to occur due to our own ingratitude, it would be a great tragedy. Should we not be deeply troubled by such a loss? God has graciously extended His kingdom to us through our
Lord Jesus Christ's redemptive work, making us His brethren and co-heirs. We should also understand that we have received it as a free gift, not as a birthright or something we can claim as our own. It is an inheritance bestowed upon us.
Therefore, considering this precious inheritance, the kingdom of God, which has been freely given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ, should we be so reckless as to let go of such a blessing when it is offered to us? Will we spurn God's gracious invitation to share in His glory, to partake in all the joy and happiness of the heavenly kingdom? He has united us with His own Son, granting us access to every good thing we could ever desire. And yet, will all of this mean nothing to us? Will we hold it in contempt and reject it? How is it that Satan can exert such control over us?
We can clearly see how St. Paul intended to awaken us earnestly here through various means. Even if we cannot be entirely drawn to God through love, perhaps the threat of His judgement can at least have some positive effect. It may move us to yield so that our desires can be restrained, and our lusts do not overflow so recklessly. But if we stubbornly resist Him, it is as though we are openly running towards Him, challenging His authority. Stating that, with His holy words, He has pronounced our banishment from the kingdom of heaven, yet we continue to disregard His teachings. This is indeed a grave matter.
Furthermore, St. Paul declares that neither fornicators, nor covetous individuals, nor those who are morally impure shall enter the kingdom of God. He does not imply that anyone who has sinned or transgressed is automatically rejected by God. Who among us can claim to be completely free of the vices mentioned here? Rather, he is referring to those who willingly engage in covetousness and immoral behaviour, those who take pleasure in their lusts and have become so hardened in their ways that the fear of God no longer restrains them.
We can observe what he said to the Corinthians, who, despite their faith, had been tainted by similar vices. He reminds them that those who indulge in such behaviours will never inherit the kingdom of God. He is essentially saying that those who live in wickedness, who do not strive against their lusts but instead revel in wrongdoing, will not gain entry into the kingdom of God. In essence, the message is clear: those who persist in a lawless and immoral life, without attempting to fight against their sinful desires, shall never enter the kingdom of God.
At first, even the faithful may be tainted by the sins to which all humanity is susceptible. However, through God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, they are cleansed and sanctified. Thus, it is crucial not to return to the mire of impurity. The true meaning of these words is that the wicked, those who lead licentious and immoral lives without resisting their lusts, shall never enter the kingdom of God. Even the faithful, initially stained by the sins common to humanity, must continually battle their sinful nature through repentance. Repentance remains relevant because sin still dwells within us. It is essential that we recognise this and engage in an ongoing struggle against it. St. Paul's exhortation in Romans 6 applies to all who hear it. Those addressed by St. Paul must surely have felt shame when reflecting upon their past lives, as they had strayed far from God, morality, and virtue. Similarly, each one of us should cast our eyes upon our own past with a sense of shame.
And yet, despite this, he tells us that sin must not reign in our mortal bodies, even though it dwells within us. It would indeed be ideal if we were completely free from sin, resembling the angels of heaven. However, St. Paul, recognizing the impossibility of achieving this while still in the world and until we shed our corruption and depart from this transient life, emphasises that sin must not dominate us. Even though we are tainted by various vices, we must strive against them, preventing them from becoming grievous sins that constitute rebellion against God. Instead, they should
remain as weaknesses that we acknowledge, seeking God's forgiveness daily. This is why St. Paul instructs us to pray for forgiveness of our sins, acknowledging our constant need for mercy.
Moreover, as we have already discussed in the context of the Epistle to the Galatians, St. Paul asserts that covetous individuals are, in essence, idolaters. While it would be worthwhile to explore this topic in greater detail, our previous discussion suffices to grasp the essence of the matter. In relation to other vices, they indeed cause us to forget God, as our sinful desires lead us astray and preoccupy our hearts and minds, causing us to neglect God. Therefore, it is accurate to say that all wicked desires are idols, as they divert our attention from God's majesty and incite us to rebel against Him, casting off His yoke to submit to Satan.
However, covetousness is rightly labelled idolatry because, once a person succumbs to it, they place their entire happiness in material possessions. Unlike gluttons, who may feel some remorse, or drunkards, fornicators, or other sinners who retain a sense of shame, covetous individuals feel no shame or remorse for their actions. Even when the whole world applauds them and remains unaware of their wickedness, they continue in their sinful ways without any self-reproach. This sets them apart, as they take pride in their wrongdoing. For instance, after cheating and deceiving others, they happily recount their gains, expressing gratitude for their prosperity. Even the most successful among them will proclaim, "Thank God, I have profited greatly today. I have accumulated wealth this month. My fortunes have flourished this year."
Nevertheless, if they examine their hearts deeply, they will discover that, in essence, they are no different from thieves, extortionists, cunning deceivers. The devil, it seems, has blinded their eyes, leaving them devoid of discretion and conscience, unable to recognise their evil deeds. Consequently, because covetous people have reached a point where they no
longer fear God enough to restrain themselves, they are referred to as idolaters. Yet, this is not the extent of their wrongdoing; there is another grievous aspect to consider. They place all their happiness in their wealth, becoming so self-assured that they believe no harm can befall them. This pride swells within them to the point where they distance God from themselves, as the proverb says, "if". Therefore, it is not without reason that St. Paul advises the rich of this world not to place their trust in their possessions or exalt themselves because their high opinion of their riches leads them to disregard God completely.
You can observe how covetous individuals misuse their wealth by wholeheartedly fixating on it, despite being expressly warned against this by the prophets and in the Gospels. They live as though they have already found paradise here on earth. This accursed disposition and insatiable greed of covetousness, which blinds and intoxicates all men, is justly called idolatry. It is also deemed the root of all evil because the covetous person always seeks his own gain. Whether it be through deceit, extortion, theft, perjury, murder, treachery, poisoning, or any other means, it makes no difference to him, as long as he can satisfy his desires. This unquenchable thirst for gain results in countless conflicts and bloodshed throughout the world, with some falling victim to poison, while others have their throats slit. All of this can be attributed to the insatiable grip of covetousness. While ambition, fornication, and similar vices bring about a host of vile consequences, it does not absolve the covetous from being tainted by them.
Therefore, it is imperative to understand that St. Paul justly proclaims covetousness as subjugating us to Satan, leading us to forget God, making us so insensitive that we no longer fear God or experience remorse. It inflates our pride to such an extent that God appears insignificant compared to our gold, silver, and riches. This constitutes rank treason, and it is why we are reprimanded here, as the Holy Spirit communicates through the apostle's words. Let us humble ourselves before the majesty of our gracious
God, acknowledging our faults, and pray for the grace of true repentance. May we be genuinely grieved and heartily sorry for our transgressions, seeking to dedicate ourselves entirely to Him, so that He may continually remove all corruption from us, causing us to forsake the world, as we were redeemed and cleansed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ for this very purpose. While bearing with our weaknesses in the meantime, may He enable us to rid ourselves of them more and more, until He calls us out of this world to unite with Himself in righteousness and holiness. May He grant this grace not only to us but to all the peoples and nations of the earth.
The Thirty Fifth Sermon, the Third on the Fifth
Chapter
"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." - Ephesians 5:8-11
We know how difficult it is to reform people from their evil customs once they have become hardened to them. The mischief easily takes root in us because we are naturally inclined and almost wholly given to it. However, we are not so easily changed when we have indulged in wrongdoing for a long time. It clings to us like a disease that has gathered strength and cannot be purged away. Many people are deeply entrenched in their wickedness and indulge in numerous vices before they are called by God and touched with repentance. Therefore, we need to heed the doctrine that St. Paul imparts here, which is to understand that when we have strayed from God
and deviated from the path of salvation, we must not deceive ourselves or make excuses, just because it has become commonplace for us. We should not excuse ourselves any more for that, but rather consider that God has had compassion on us. His drawing us away from the evil we were in was intended to change us and to better showcase His power and grace through our lives, bearing witness that we are no longer the people we once were.
That's why St. Paul says in this text, "You were once darkness, but now God has enlightened you," as if to say that we must not rely on what others do or what has happened in our lives to hope for justification and exoneration of our faults. When God has reached out His hand and shown us such mercy as to adopt us as His children and make us heirs of heavenly life, instead of being condemned and damned, that grace should greatly motivate us to become new beings. As for those among whom we live, if God gives them the reins and lets them go as abandoned people, let us understand that it was His will to rescue us from such a miserable state. Let them serve as mirrors for us to see how wretched it is for people to follow their own desires. Their multitude of sins should not excuse or cover our faults; rather, we should take their example as a warning to withdraw ourselves and submit to the fear and obedience of our Lord.
To better grasp the whole, let's first note that St. Paul is showing us the state of all humanity in general until God draws them to Himself. He tells us that there is no reason at all to boast in our virtues. This one statement, where he says that we were in darkness, means that there was neither light of reason nor any self-governance in us. Instead, we were like beasts, and this should humble us. Indeed, many may appear wise and receive commendation from the world as prudent individuals capable not only of guiding their own lives but also counseling and directing others.
Yet, despite this, when it comes to God's wisdom and reason, we are mere brute beasts compared to Him. This saying should remind us to humbly turn
to God and seek the necessary remedy for governing our lives, which is to let His wisdom be our master and teacher through His Word. I will elaborate on this further. It should also lead us to pray that His Holy Spirit may work in us, preventing us from being filled with pride to the point where we consider ourselves wise in our own conceit.
So, in essence, we need to remember the following from this passage where Paul refers to people with a derogatory term, saying they are darkness, and that there is nothing but utter brutishness in them. I have already discussed in the previous chapter that people deserve nothing and are prone to destruction until they are reformed. Now, on the contrary, Paul mentions that there is light in the Lord, to emphasize that all the wisdom we possess comes from supernatural grace. In other words, we don't inherit it, nor can we claim it as our own. It is entirely the result of God's work, and we must be connected to our Lord Jesus Christ to partake in this benefit. Scripture states that God's Spirit was given to rest upon Him in full perfection. Therefore, let us learn to distrust ourselves and recognize that whatever we can bring on our own is of no help; it only diverts us from the path of salvation. We have no wisdom unless it is freely given by God for the purpose of drawing us to Him and making us members of His Son, our true light.
As I mentioned earlier, it's as if St. Paul is saying that by nature, we are nothing but darkness in Adam, and we are enlightened again in our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, we should not seek excuses by claiming that we cannot shed our old nature or completely forsake our ingrained tendencies. Such excuses are trivial and hold no weight before God. Instead, we should examine ourselves, considering our true state before God's grace has worked in us. We should acknowledge that on our own, we bring nothing but corruption from our mother's womb. This realization should enhance the effectiveness of the grace God has bestowed upon us. St. Paul implies that this grace would have been choked and nullified by our ingratitude and
malice if we had not recognized why God extended His hand and showed such mercy to us. His purpose was to rescue us from darkness and bring us into the light. We are called "light in the Lord" not only because we have the guidance of His gospel, which is like a burning lamp, but also because He Himself, as the spiritual source and origin, inwardly enlightens us through His Spirit. We can see from experience that people do not necessarily improve when they are exposed to the truth through doctrine. One can make the effort to teach them, but it may often be in vain. Therefore, our Lord must also provide the spiritual insight to perceive the teachings of His Word. Just as the sun, no matter how bright in the sky, is of no benefit unless we have eyes to receive its light, God must grant us spiritual eyesight to understand the things taught to us by His Word.
You can see that the way we become "light in the Lord" is twofold. On one side, God shows us the way of salvation through the preaching of His Word and imparts a new spirit or mind to us, so that we do not remain in the ignorance that is natural to us. St. Paul clarifies this even further by adding that we should "walk as children of the light." In this, he not only praises and commends God's grace to encourage us to glorify Him, as we should, but also reveals its purpose. It's as if he's saying, make sure you do not disregard God's grace or render it ineffective. The calling to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ was intended to bring about a holy transformation into this light. If we were to have the sun but merely gaze at it idly, like people out of their minds, we might as well have perpetual night. The sun serves us to engage in the tasks we are responsible for, to work for our livelihood, each according to their duties and roles.
Hence, it would be an abuse of the sun, which brings us such great benefits, if any of us were not to apply ourselves to our known duties. St. Paul then applies this analogy to the spiritual realm, comparing it to the doctrine of the gospel. He asserts that this light shines not for us to engage in idle speculations but, rather, to put our hands to work, to plow, and for each of
us to identify our areas of service. In doing so, we make the light that is offered to us useful.
Furthermore, Paul, in one place, calls us "light," and then immediately adds "children of light." Both phrases serve the same purpose. However, it's worth noting that this title properly belongs to none but our Lord Jesus Christ, as He Himself said, "I am the light of the world. He that walketh in me shall never stray." This demonstrates that our Lord Jesus Christ alone is sufficient to provide us with light. If we distance ourselves from Him, we will find nothing but darkness, not in heaven, not on earth, nor in any other creature. Even when we speak of God's majesty, it is above all the heavens, and even the angels derive their light from our Lord Jesus Christ.
That is the reason why even John the Baptist is excluded from that honour when he states that he was not the light, but that this distinction belonged peculiarly to the Son of God, who enlightens everyone that comes into the world. Similarly, the apostles and all those who preach God's truth are also termed "light" in their own capacity. It is not because they inherently possess this light, but because God uses them as instruments to deliver His Word and guide others in the path of salvation.
However, if someone who carries a candle to light others stumbles and goes astray, it is a significant matter. Therefore, as those entrusted with preaching God's Word, we must lead our lives in such a way that others may be edified by our conduct. Nonetheless, this does not diminish the honour of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those enlightened by Him must not claim equality with Him. He alone remains the true light, while we are illuminated by Him.
As St. Paul said, all believers are like lamps burning in this world, bearing the Word of God. The light referred to in Scripture, both for teachers and those who are taught, is the Word of God. It should function as a lamp to guide our lives. We must live in a manner that draws unbelievers to faith
and reform or confound them when they see that God's calling to us as His messengers is not in vain.
This is the sense in which St. Paul states that we are "light in the Lord" because God's Word should act as a burning lamp, guiding not only ourselves but also showing the way to those who might otherwise go astray. He adds that we are "children of light" to emphasize that our light does not originate within ourselves; we borrow it from the true light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of this light, and through Him, we are illuminated by His gospel and the Holy Spirit.
As God works in us through faith and grants us spiritual rebirth, let us value His grace as it deserves. We should not squander it through negligence but walk according to God's calling, employing ourselves for His purposes. St. Paul warns that the fruit of this light is goodness, righteousness, and truth. In other words, this is not just a matter of following common human customs but a call to draw nearer to God and to understand the true purpose of being Christians. It reflects how the power of the Holy Spirit should manifest in our lives, leading us to live righteously, faithfully, and compassionately, showing kindness and patience towards one another.
Truth be told, there are other things required in a Christian's life, but Paul hasn't encompassed them all under a single category. It's as if he's saying, "My friends, God's grace towards us is remarkable in gathering us to Him when we were headed for destruction. He has freed us from the tyranny of the ruler of this world, the devil, and made us members of His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is an invaluable benefit, and now we must demonstrate how we respond to God's immense mercy."
This response must be evident in our lives as we interact with one another in goodness. This means we should not be cruel like dogs and cats, nor engage in guile, craftiness, and malice to deceive or manipulate one another. Instead, we should conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity,
ensuring that each of us strives to give others their due, so that no one pursues their own gain at the expense of others.
When our lives are ordered in this manner, people will see that we bear fruit in the light. In other words, the light God has given us is not dormant but active. Just as God has illuminated us, we should apply ourselves to doing what He has commanded and appointed. This is why Paul speaks of the fruit of righteousness, as I mentioned before. The gospel is not ineffectual; its impact should be evident in our lives, characterized by righteousness, kindness, and faithfulness.
In these words, St. Paul encompasses all aspects of the two tables of the law. Charity does not diminish the importance of God's service; rather, the scriptures direct us back to our neighbours because of our service to God. When we love our neighbours as we should and live with them according to God's law, God will always have His rightful place. Otherwise, we tend to love ourselves excessively, seek our own glory, and indulge in pride, vainglory, covetousness, cruelty, and deceit. Only when we willingly submit ourselves to God's authority, honour Him, serve Him, and bless His holy name will this change occur. Such submission and obedience to God will be evident when we give everyone their due, indicating our fear of God.
Now, to illustrate how we should live in the world, Paul outlines three important virtues: goodness, righteousness, and truth. Goodness signifies kindness and compassion towards those in distress, helping them in their time of need and patiently bearing their weaknesses. Righteousness denotes honest and upright conduct, refraining from taking what belongs to others, avoiding actions that harm our neighbours, and being content with what God has given us, without seeking to accumulate others' possessions. Lastly, truth opposes all forms of deception, cunning schemes, and dishonest practices aimed at gaining others' possessions. When we possess
these three virtues, it is certain that charity is fully and perfectly present in us.
These are the principles we should keep in mind in our daily lives. To demonstrate that our Christian upbringing in the Gospel has not been in vain and that we have not neglected the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must live virtuously and justly among people. We should show kindness by bearing with one another's weaknesses and helping those in need. We must also be faithful, avoiding craftiness and deceit in our dealings. Let us be steadfast and honest in all our interactions with others. Our Christian lives should reflect God's light and grace, leading us to be compassionate, just, and truthful.
The main point to remember is that God has enlightened us not to remain in darkness but to shine a light on those who still walk in darkness. We have a responsibility to guide unbelievers who stumble and wander aimlessly, like lost beasts. Their ignorance cannot excuse them because it is rooted in their wilful rejection of God. However, what excuse can we offer if we stray from the path when God has enlightened us with His Word and Holy Spirit and united us with our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true source of righteousness?
Here, Paul tells us to examine what pleases God, which goes beyond what he previously mentioned. It reminds us of the true rule: aligning ourselves with God's will. The fear of God is rightly called true wisdom because it prevents us from straying into evil. Those who fear God remember His name and majesty, keeping their desires in check. Even when tempted, they resist because they recognize that their lives are devoted to God's service. When our minds are focused on God, we gain strength against temptation. Paul advises us to examine what pleases God to counteract our natural recklessness.
In the disregard of God, there are two aspects. First, people become complacent, thinking they won't be held accountable, and they rest as if they can determine good and evil. Later, they recklessly rebel against God.
Therefore, it is not enough for us to avoid wilfully opposing God or behaving like wild animals or stubborn bulls, pushing in every direction with our horns. That is insufficient. We must be vigilant in thoroughly inquiring what is permissible for us. We should distinguish between what God permits and what He does not allow.
The first point that Paul emphasizes here is that our lives will never be wellordered unless they are fully aligned with God's will. Mark this as the first point. Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, we should not assume that God forgives our negligence when we deliberately close our eyes and are content to go astray without taking heed. Instead, we should be on guard and diligently seek what God allows. These are the two key points we should keep in mind.
Regarding the first point, we can observe that throughout history, people have always taken liberties to follow their own inventions as they please. There has been a common saying that "the intention judges with men," which holds true to some extent. However, people have misinterpreted it. Under this pretext, individuals have imagined that God should consider them righteous if they had no intention to offend. Hypocrites often engage in this behaviour, creating superstitions and believing that God should accept their actions as good. However, God does not operate according to our imagination. The confusion in the practice of religion, particularly in Catholicism, arises from forsaking God's Word and disregarding His commands. Instead, they do as they please, inventing various rituals and traditions, all the while believing that their intentions make them righteous.
As I mentioned earlier, while it is true that intentions matter to some extent, simply performing commendable deeds is not enough. We may engage in
praiseworthy actions but still be condemned by God if they are not done for the right purpose. Even if our actions outwardly appear virtuous and honest, they are worthless and repulsive in God's eyes if our intentions are wicked and distorted. Therefore, we must not heedlessly follow every idea that comes to our minds. Our greatest wisdom lies in seeking to understand God's will. In accordance with this, Paul states that our reasonable service is to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God, in obedience to His commandments, which will be well-pleasing to Him.
But if we rely solely on ourselves, God will reject it all. That is unreasonable; it is merely Satan's trash and nonsense. Therefore, let us pay close attention to what is being conveyed here: we must not discern good from evil by our own judgment but by weighing them on God's scale, not our own. We should not say, "It seems good to me; I think I will try it." Let us avoid such recklessness and be like weaned children, ready to learn from God and submit entirely to His guidance.
So, humility is the foundation of serving God well. We should not be puffed up with pride or act rashly by saying, "I think this is the right course of action." Instead, we should think, "Has God spoken of this in His Word? Even if it seems excellent, I would reject it if God forbids it." This is why it is explicitly stated, "You shall not do what seems good in your own eyes." Likewise, we are forbidden to be wise in our own conceit. We must recognize that being taught by God is the infallible wisdom. As soon as we deviate from what He has taught us, we are left wandering, thinking ourselves wise in the world's eyes, but in reality, we are foolish.
In essence, everything we can come up with by ourselves only condemns us. The only guiding principle is God's will, the sole measure by which we can judge what is worthwhile and good. Since the devil seeks to deprive us of this benefit, we must be even more vigilant to seek out God's will diligently. We are careful enough about our temporal profit, always
calculating and considering the potential dangers and advantages. However, when it comes to serving God, we are often hasty and reckless, pretending to have great zeal for the heavenly life but not valuing it. This shows that we merely go through the motions and treat it as a task.
Therefore, we should be aware that people are not as blameworthy when they rebel against God unintentionally as when they persist in their obstinacy. While it is true that people may do some things without much thought, they must still consider whether God approves of their actions. In all our doings, we should seek spiritual discernment to understand what God allows and follow His will.
Furthermore, Paul adds that we must not engage in the fruitless works of darkness but rather rebuke them. This addition is not without reason. Even if we are inclined to live according to God's Word, we must learn to resist temptations. Even if we do not see vices around us that would hinder our obedience to God, we already have enough vices within us that need correction before we can genuinely submit to God's will and say, "Lord, let Your will reign over us."
In any case, consider that even if we have subdued all our affections and are ready to submit entirely to God, the devil does not cease to attack us through various means: temptation, deceit, and open assaults. Therefore, we must be well-fortified and rely on the invincible power God has given us to resist all the strategies of the devil. That's why Paul says that we should not engage in the unfruitful works of darkness. It's as if he's saying, "I know that the allurements of this world can deter you from fulfilling your duty to God."
Even though you know that God should have dominion over you and that you should be subject to Him, when you associate with those who despise God and engage in unholy activities, it becomes very difficult for you to lead a righteous life. The more vices abound, the more likely you are to be
infected by them. Just as it is impossible to walk among thorns without getting pricked, it is nearly impossible to move through a world filled with corruption without stumbling upon some form of evil.
Therefore, we must be strong and resolute in our commitment to serving God. There is no excuse to say, "Alas, what can I do? I am a frail creature. If God had sent me alone, I could serve Him better. But I am surrounded by so many vices: some lie, some commit adultery, some are drunkards, some swear. I witness so much wickedness that it terrifies me. Given the circumstances, what can I do?" We may make such excuses, but they are in vain. Instead, we must prepare ourselves for the service of God so that we can stand obediently in battle formation to resist all temptations.
Indeed, it will be challenging, but with God's help, we will be strong. We should pray for His guidance through the Holy Spirit. This guidance will not only subdue us under His dominion but also grant us victory against all the strategies Satan employs to defeat us. When we call upon God and place our trust in the working of His Holy Spirit, we can continue on our path even though the world is full of wicked obstacles trying to lead us astray.
The key point to remember is that in addition to a good disposition to submit to God and the willingness to accept and obey whatever He commands, we must also be equipped to battle against Satan's assaults. Even though we see the whole world steeped in wickedness, we should not think this diminishes our fault before God. Instead, we must understand that it is God's way of testing and trying us. Nevertheless, if we call upon Him and rely on the Holy Spirit, we will undoubtedly overcome all of Satan's attempts to hinder our service to God.
In conclusion, Paul uses this analogy to remind us that we should not engage in the works of darkness. It is as if he is telling us that we should separate ourselves from unbelievers and not live as if God has not worked in us or His word has had no effect on us. To do otherwise is to trample
upon Jesus Christ, negate the fruit of His death and passion, and defile His precious blood, which is the source of all holiness. Therefore, let us avoid darkness and have nothing to do with it, for associating with unbelievers and the godless world is of no benefit. Those who choose such a path will ultimately reap the reward of eternal death, following one another into damnation.
Let us examine ourselves closely, for when people readily excuse themselves and seek nothing more than to remain firmly bound under Satan's dominion, they are essentially throwing themselves into the depths of despair. Is this not a pitiable form of liberty? St. Paul, therefore, explicitly tells us that we should not involve ourselves with the world's corruptions. Instead, we should strive to reform those who take such liberties to do evil, ultimately leading to their own downfall. Both we and they should be obedient to our God in such a way that His Word and Holy Spirit provide us with an invincible power to resist all assaults. We should be equipped with spiritual armour, such as a helmet, breastplate, and sword, as we will discuss later.
We must be careful as we walk in this world, maintaining true constancy and not turning away from God due to any troubles, impediments, obstacles, or temptations that may come our way.
Now, let us humbly kneel before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and praying for genuine repentance. May we be truly sorry for our sins and continually strive to overcome them, growing stronger in our fear of God and our commitment to keeping His holy commandments. In the meantime, may God bear with our weaknesses until we are purified and free from them, helping us progress day by day in His teachings. We trust in His forgiveness of our sins until we reach the perfection of His righteousness and glory. And with this, I conclude, Almighty God, Heavenly Father...
The Thirty Sixth Sermon, the Fourth on the Fifth
Chapter
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.:" - Ephesians 5: 11-14
We have observed this morning that despite the many temptations in the world that may lead us away from serving God, we should not use them as excuses. Stumbling blocks have existed in the world throughout history, but the remedy is clear: God's children must remain devoted to Him and avoid corrupting themselves by associating with unbelievers, as God has called them to be distinct.
It is not sufficient for us to merely abstain from being drunkards, fornicators, thieves, or murderers. We must also avoid all forms of evil wherever they may be found. Indeed, we should always begin by examining ourselves and condemning the vices within us. Hypocrites often point out the faults in others while ignoring the great faults within themselves. To be true and fair judges, each of us should self-reflect and acknowledge our own shortcomings. We should genuinely detest the evil within ourselves. Moreover, we must demonstrate that we love God more than the world and refrain from maintaining friendships with the wicked by turning a blind eye to their faults and flattering them.
To address this, St. Paul reminds us of a third reason: we should reprove the works of darkness not only to demonstrate our zeal for honoring God but also to rescue foolish souls from the path of destruction and guide them
toward salvation. These are the two main reasons for reproving evil. First, it should trouble us to witness God offended and people provoking His wrath by disrupting the order He has established. Seeing God's Word disregarded and His name trampled upon should grieve us deeply. Second, we have a duty to care for those redeemed by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we witness souls heading towards damnation without acknowledging the tremendous cost of their redemption, it is a disregard for the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
St. Paul emphasises that as we separate ourselves from evil to avoid becoming companions of those who despise God, we should actively demonstrate our disapproval of their actions. This may lead them to feel ashamed of their wickedness and prompt them to repent. Even if we manage to rescue a single soul from the path of destruction, it will be a significant accomplishment.
In a similar vein, St. James encourages us to reprove evil, highlighting that by doing so, we may save a soul from being lost. Therefore, it is important for us to show our zeal for honouring God and preserving the integrity of His Word. If we do not speak out against those who blaspheme His majesty and challenge His righteousness, it may be considered negligence on our part. Just as a loyal subject would defend their prince and a faithful child would defend their father's honour, we should uphold God's honour and righteousness. Although we are but humble inhabitants of the earth, God has graciously adopted us as His children. Therefore, if wicked individuals attempt to tarnish His majesty and undermine His authority while we remain silent, it is an affront that should not be tolerated.
Therefore, let us pay close attention to what he has told us here. This vice has prevailed throughout history, where people are more or less inclined to flattery and, consequently, find it easier to tolerate the faults of others. This tolerance is not in the sense of having compassion for the weak and being
patient with them, as we have seen so far. Instead, it is the opposite; it entails being content with perpetuating evil and willingly entering into alliances to avoid scrutiny of our vices. We allow each person to claim a certain liberty for themselves. This prevailing attitude is why there is disorder in the world today.
Moreover, we are often reluctant to incur anyone's displeasure, to the extent that we betray God and our fellow beings, body and soul, to avoid exercising the liberty that God's Spirit grants us. When we witness a wretched person indulging in folly, we say, "Let them follow their own path; it does not concern us." Similarly, when we see others perverting the course of justice and corrupting society, we passively overlook it, thinking, "I do not want to incur the wrath of someone in authority. Let others lead the way, and I will follow suit. If consequences arise, I will plead ignorance." Meanwhile, we beseech God's mercy, while remaining idle. We avoid putting ourselves at risk for any matter.
This is how our vices are tolerated in the present day. However, God will not forfeit His right. His verdict will remain inviolable. Consequently, we may be condemned as accomplices of the wicked if we behave like blind and deaf animals, failing to restrain wickedness by standing up against it to the best of our ability. If we allow God's honour to be desecrated and all sense of decency to be discarded without protest, we will be held accountable.
We should, therefore, pay close attention to this warning about rebuking evil. We must make every effort to demonstrate our commitment and be diligent in our ability to address it. If each individual followed this approach, the world would surely be a better place. The reason why God's name is so frequently blasphemed is that blasphemies are concealed, and people would rather soil themselves with the wickedness of others than risk disapproval or dislike. The same applies to drunkenness, theft, extortion,
and other immoral activities. If we possessed the zeal commanded by St. Paul, we would be much more resolute in reproving those who engage in such behaviours.
Conversely, if we allow good people to be trodden upon and mistreated, we reveal a lack of love and compassion among us. We ought to extend our helping hand to them.
Again, souls are heading towards destruction, and we take no action, even though God has bestowed upon us the grace to stand in His place, to save that which was on the path to being lost and damned. Now, St. Paul, having addressed this issue, aims to reinforce the same doctrine and ignite the sluggishness within us. He explains that the reason why unbelievers indulge in such heinous acts, acts they would be ashamed even to speak of, is because they believe they can remain hidden from human sight. Why? Because they lack the fear of God, and hence, they consider themselves well-concealed.
For instance, when a thief perceives that no one is around, he ransacks cupboards, breaks open doors, steals whatever he can, all because he does not anticipate being caught and judged by anyone. He deludes himself into thinking he has escaped without a trace. Similarly, a robber or a murderer who enters some concealed spot imagines himself to be well-hidden. When he encounters a stray individual, he pounces upon him, robs him, injures him, and even goes so far as to slit his throat if he cannot overpower him by other means. And all this while, he believes he has escaped undetected, for no one has witnessed his actions. This pattern extends to various other deeds. We are more ashamed before our fellow humans than we are afraid of God. Scripture proclaims that all our thoughts will be called to account, not only our wicked deeds but even our hidden thoughts. For on the last day, the books will be opened, signifying that nothing will be forgotten, unless we obtain the promised grace mentioned in the Psalm, which is that
God forgives us our sins. However, this forgiveness is not granted without repentance. Those who have grown unyielding to all evil merely mock this notion. They care not about what God may do, for they have become so brutish that they do not contemplate the enormity of hardening their hearts against the sovereign majesty of God.
Hence, when the unbelievers and those who despise God seek refuge and hide in such covert places, vile licentiousness prevails among them, and it would be disgraceful to contemplate their actions and words. But as Simple explains, when they are rebuked, their mischief is uncovered, and their liberty curtailed, as the rebuke serves as a restraint. It is not just because they are reproached by others, but also because they sense that they are accountable to the heavenly judge, and they recognise the dreadful consequences of falling into His hands. In short, Simple meant to demonstrate the purpose that rebuke can serve when utilised correctly and with genuine charitable zeal. He already emphasised that we must not employ hypocrisy or attempt to vindicate ourselves by condemning others. Instead, each of us should thoroughly examine our own lives, despise the vices to which we are prone, and strive to bring ourselves under God's guidance. We should pray for His strength through the power of His Holy Spirit, enabling us to align ourselves with His will and righteousness. In doing so, we should not flatter those who err but speak candidly to them for their own benefit.
The benefit that will arise from following Paul's counsel is that God will not be as grievously offended as we see He is. Moreover, those who were beyond shame may, through this means, be led towards honesty. It seemed to them that they had permission to commit any form of wickedness, but they will repent and encourage others to do the same. Yet, what should drive us even more is the understanding that we live in this world and enjoy the countless blessings bestowed upon us by God. Nevertheless, we allow His authority to be undermined, even when it seems as though people are
attempting to remove Him from His throne by blaspheming His holy name. When people provoke Him to anger and we do nothing, we must be considered utter scoundrels and traitors. Imagine if someone insulted, plotted to murder, robbed, defiled the spouse, or corrupted the child of a man in his own home, and we were there enjoying his hospitality, eating his food, drinking his wine, and, in short, being fed and supported at his expense, all the while remaining silent. Wouldn't we deserve to be stoned and have people spit in our faces? Certainly, for ingratitude and villainy will always be condemned, even among humans.
Now, if we are so obliged to protect a mortal man's honour and integrity when we are guests in his home, what should we do for our Lord? Aren't we in His house as long as we live in this world? Don't we receive every drop of water due to His kindness and generosity? Consider this: God takes care of us as a father would. Yet, despite all this, we allow His name to be blasphemed, His majesty to be disrespected, His word to be torn apart, all the orders He has established to be disregarded, His Church, which is His spouse, to be corrupted and abused, and His children to be lured into wickedness. In the meantime, we remain silent. Can any of you deny that such silence is evidence that we are unworthy even to eat a morsel of bread, or to be counted among the lowliest creatures, like worms and insects?
So, let us ponder this carefully. We will be held accountable for despising God's majesty, as we can see happening, because we do not rebuke the vices that flourish due to the audacity of the wicked and the heathen, who become bolder and believe they can run the world as they please, exulting in their disdain for God. Part of this comes from our silence, and that's what St. Paul intended to convey here. Furthermore, it means that the wretched souls, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ paid such a high price that He did not spare Himself to save them, are perishing and falling into Satan's grasp because of our indifference. In the meantime, we pay no heed to it at all.
Now, do we not bear witness that we lack even a drop of charity within us? Yes, and that's why I mentioned that in doing so, we become traitors to God and our neighbours. When we lack zeal for God's name and neglect the welfare of our neighbours, doesn't the world see that we are filled with cruelty and unkindness? I mean cruelty in the sense that we let people perish while knowing and witnessing it, and unkindness towards God because we do not give Him the honour He deserves when we lack the courage to demonstrate, at the very least, that we disapprove of men diminishing God's authority and the reverence owed to Him.
Therefore, whoever we are, we should not be afraid to incur men's displeasure or disfavour when it comes to showing, to the best of our ability, that we genuinely abhor such things. I say, as far as we can, because sometimes our mouths will be shut, and all we can do is sigh at such utter disorder when people behave like devils unleashed, venting their insolence against God. Those who bear the sword seem intent on creating chaos, with all goodness forgotten. In such circumstances, as I mentioned earlier, we have no other recourse but to be sorrowful about it, just as it is said of Lot that his heart was grieved by the wickedness of Sodom. Therefore, let us not hold back. Each of us should stir himself to grief and sorrow when we witness such disorder, and we should testify against it to the extent that it may do some good.
Furthermore, if there is any hope of converting those who are so unruly, let us strive unceasingly to bring them to repentance. Indeed, let us exert ourselves to achieve it. Many people too easily quote the proverb that one should not cast pearls before swine, and they assume that people are swine before they have even attempted to understand them. Even if they have behaved poorly, strayed, or become lawless, and even if the devil has ensnared them, we must labour to reclaim them and have hope, as St. Paul says, "Charity hopeth all things."
So then, until men demonstrate themselves to be wholly inclined to evil, and their maladies appear incurable, let us strive to be good physicians to them through the counsel that God shall inspire us with. You can see what St. Paul meant when he said that unbelievers consider themselves hidden when they are neither perceived nor rebuked. When they are left to wander without correction, they continue in darkness, emboldening themselves to commit wicked deeds. However, we are partly responsible for this, and we cannot absolve ourselves of it, for God has entrusted us with His authority in this matter and has given us His Word, which has the authority to condemn evil. Nevertheless, it is often suppressed and disregarded.
Consider this: when the most wicked individuals are rebuked, they finally recognise their shame. Before, they could not distinguish between right and wrong. It's like a person stumbling in the dark, unaware of their surroundings, even if they stumble and fall. Therefore, when God's Word is presented to people, and we boldly show wrongdoers their faults, it is as if we hold up a mirror to them and say, "Look at yourself; you are as filthy as can be. Are you not ashamed? Go and cleanse yourself." Therefore, admonitions will always achieve this much, although not with everyone. Many have become hardened, and Satan has taken hold of them. God has allowed them to possess such a stubborn and willful disposition that they feel no shame. Nevertheless, when any faithful person does their duty, it will always do some good, and some benefit will come from it. Just as those who had strayed like wild beasts or unruly oxen may return and find some sense of righteousness. Therefore, let us strive for this, if possible, or at least make every effort to attain it.
Now, regarding the word "rebuke," it primarily means to expose the hidden thing. Paul alludes to this function in preaching when he addresses the vanity prevalent in the Corinthian church. They spoke in strange tongues seeking praise and admiration. People would say, "This person is a great scholar; they can speak in all languages." However, this did not lead to
edification. Today, we often witness similar distractions in churches, with organs playing on one side, and various performances on the other. There is so much spectacle that simple-minded people are captivated, but there is no edification. Instead, when we gather in the name of God, our aim should be to encourage one another in faith and piety. How can this be achieved? It happens when good and God-fearing individuals are edified by His Word. Moreover, if an unbeliever, who was once a mocker and never felt any remorse, comes in and hears what is proclaimed in God's name – that we cannot escape God's judgment and will stand before the judgment seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, and how Christ has redeemed us, and how ungrateful it is for us to make His sacrifice of death and passion meaningless – when the unbeliever hears all this and sees how we are encouraged to fear and love God for His boundless grace towards us...
Although he compares a person to a brute beast, as Simple says, yet that person will reflect upon themselves and be reproved. He uses the same term here, and the meaning is evident. Even if someone's conscience was as good as dead, and they were almost brutish, they would be compelled to examine themselves and feel shame, giving glory to God. This does not happen to everyone equally, but we can see that many who had gone astray, forgotten God, and had no regard for their own soul's well-being can be so profoundly affected by a single sermon that they appear to be transformed for the rest of their lives. What is done in a communal gathering should also be practised individually. We are not here solely for self-improvement but also to teach one another through mutual instruction. In this manner, we must reprove wrongdoers so that they do not take more liberties to mock God in such a manner, cast off His yoke, and indulge in wickedness. This is essentially what Paul aims to convey to us.
To further solidify this doctrine, he adds yet another reason. It is apt to say that light reveals all things. Previously, he told us that once we are enlightened by God's Spirit and the Gospel, we should be like lamps,
providing light to the world. We possess the word of life, which not only guides us but also leads those who have gone astray onto the right path. Continuing on this theme, he explains that it is the nature and function of light to expose. Therefore, when we permit wickedness to take root and grow deeper and deeper, we clearly demonstrate that we are neither lights nor children of the light. In other words, we do not belong to God or Jesus Christ in the slightest. In short, Simple means that we cannot provide any evidence of our Christianity or faith unless we actively oppose and resist evil as much as possible, preventing it from gaining full control and dominance.
Now, let us reflect upon ourselves once more. As I mentioned earlier, none of us is free from the fault of fearing men more than God, of turning a blind eye to others' transgressions so they will do the same for us, and of betraying one another through our silence. However, there is another, even worse vice that compounds the problem. In addition to our silence, we actively contribute to the spread of evil. Consequently, immorality gains further ground because almost everyone, by which I mean the majority of people today, turns a blind eye to all sorts of wickedness and disorder, shutting their ears to things they ought to confront.
Every person strives to conceal the wickedness of their peers, men for men and women for women. They could rectify a great many enormities that are committed, but instead, they bury their own faults with the dung and filth of others and hide their vices as if they were treasure. Practically everyone plays this game of mutual concealment, where they keep quiet about their neighbor's vices in the hope that the favor will be returned. The same is true for all other sins. Nevertheless, as I mentioned earlier, God has not spoken in vain. One day, we will experience the execution of the sentence spoken here by His Apostle. When that time comes, it will be too late for regrets about what we should have acknowledged earlier. Those who fear should go and learn and remember what is stated here: God enlightens us so that each
one may examine themselves. We should not be like blind riches groping in the dark, stumbling on one side and running into things on the other. Instead, we should know the path to salvation and, moreover, teach others by revealing the hidden evil. Those who have turned their backs on God, although they appeared to have been in darkness for a long time, will understand that they must come to the light, whatever the consequences.
Therefore, the true way for us to genuinely demonstrate that we belong to God and are enlightened by His Holy Spirit and His Word is to expose things that would otherwise remain hidden, as charity covers a multitude of sins, as Solomon said. We ought to be patient and bear with many shortcomings. It is not appropriate for us to accuse one another, as some do, who, instead of warning those they see transgressing, spread gossip to the point where the streets and marketplaces are filled with it. They exaggerate minor infractions to the level of heinous crimes. Therefore, when some of us expose individuals, it is not to accuse each other in that way, but rather to help the afflicted person, who, with their eyes blinded by Satan, needs to recognize their own wretchedness and wickedness so that they may feel ashamed. Likewise, a woman who has surrendered herself to utter impurity may regain some decency and return to the right path by being confronted with her faults and vices.
The method of exposing wrongdoing is not to slander one another, reprimand each other with pretense, or act hypocritically, straining at a gnat while swallowing an ox or a sheep in a morsel. In other words, some people are overly conscientious about very minor matters but turn a blind eye to numerous major transgressions right under their noses, without being the least bit offended. We must not behave this way. When we observe sin multiplying and growing due to our unfaithfulness, we must address it. Each person should be compelled to reflect upon themselves and their vices for the purpose of improvement. This, essentially, is the diligence that St. Paul urges upon us here. It is the means to remove the plagues that Satan
would otherwise maintain through silence and dissimulation. Therefore, whenever we perceive an infection within, we should not let it fester until the disease becomes incurable. Instead, we should promptly cleanse it, using admonitions as though they were lancets and methods to remove the infected matter that could mar and infect the entire body. So, in essence, we should apply this doctrine to what St. Paul teaches here.
Therefore, our Lord Jesus Christ, in all the teachings of the gospel, speaks to those who have fallen asleep in their sins, to those who are as good as dead, so that they may awaken and rise up, and thus we shall be enlightened by Him. First, we must remember that Jesus Christ indeed raises us from the dead when He calls us to faith and leads us into the hope of salvation. This is so that we may better understand our condition. We see how people often boast and glorify themselves, even though they are utterly confused and have nothing to be proud of. Scripture tells us that we are dead, and we may have some semblance of life before we are converted to the faith of Jesus Christ. However, that life is but death before God. This is why it is said in St. John, "The hour is coming when all those who hear the voice of the Son of Man shall live, even though they are dead, and shall pass from death to life." Jesus Christ does not speak of physical death or the resurrection we hope for on the last day. Instead, He reveals how we already have a prelude to the second resurrection when God renews us and gives us spiritual life. For we are capable of nothing but evil, as has been explained before. Simple also uses the same expression, stating that we are dead within. Building upon this, he emphasizes that the entire message of the Gospel is that we should rise from the dead. As long as we are estranged from God, the source of life, we are in a dungeon, and it would have been better for us never to have been born. We must awaken because part of our death is our sluggishness, as I mentioned earlier. We are so corrupted from birth that we cannot find salvation through good deeds alone. We are stuck, blinded, wicked, and lost, with the devil driving and pushing us forward, so
that as long as God allows us the reins, we can do nothing but sink deeper into the abyss.
Now, when we have reached that point, there is no more inertia, as St. Paul has already mentioned. There is nothing but obstinacy, as if God meant nothing to us, and we have lost all sense and awareness of our sins. This is why he emphasizes here that we must awaken, because we are in a state of spiritual lethargy until God stirs us and makes us realize our wretchedness so that we may detest our sins and turn back to Him. Therefore, the beginning of life and salvation is when God visits us with His grace while we were like spiritually dead wretches, utterly corrupted. Take note of this first.
Secondly, let us also observe that alongside the wickedness within us, there is such great hardness and stubbornness that God must forcibly awaken us to make us even slightly aware of our vices. This is why God must do this primarily when He calls us and pulls us out of the confusion we were in. However, every Christian must remain in this state throughout their life. We will never be so completely awake that we do not need God to continue rousing us. You may have seen some people who are so deeply asleep that even when they are dressed and on their feet, they stagger and seem half asleep until they rouse themselves and engage in some activity. They are so sluggish and drowsy that they still seem half-asleep even when awake. It is similar with us. Even though our Lord Jesus Christ has granted us the grace to rescue us from spiritual death and quicken us through His Holy Spirit and His Word, we still sense our own slothfulness and sluggishness. Thus, God must continually awaken us. Therefore, we need to be encouraged every day, and our ears must be constantly opened, as if Jesus Christ were calling out loudly to us, "Why are you still in this wretched state?" Even if we heard such warnings incessantly, we would not be fully awake, as we require. Now, we can see what St. Paul intended to convey in this passage: that what we experience by God's grace within ourselves, we should also
apply to our neighbors. Our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed raised us from spiritual death and awakens us daily from our spiritual slumber, for we are often so lethargic. This is so that we, in turn, may awaken others from their spiritual slumber and strive to bring those who are spiritually lifeless back to life.
Furthermore, when he says, "And Jesus Christ will enlighten me," it is not meant that we can rise up and awaken by our own power, with Jesus Christ adding His grace later. His intention is different. He means that we shall be enlightened by Jesus Christ, but not in the sense that we are merely in a dark place in need of a candle, like in the nighttime. Even if a person's vision is somewhat obscured, whether by the moon, stars, or anything else, they can still distinguish things. Thus, a person's eyes are not completely useless when navigating in the dark, no matter how dim it is. However, our Lord Jesus Christ enlightens us in a much more remarkable way. We are not only in darkness but utterly blind. Therefore, the remedy that the Son of God brings us through the teaching of the gospel is that He restores our sight. Our eyes were blinded by the sin of our first ancestor, Adam, who allowed vainglory to lead him astray, desiring to discern between good and evil beyond what was lawful for him. However, instead of gaining greater insight, he became brutish, and we, along with him, were left in a state of spiritual blindness. Therefore, we require our vision to be restored, and God's Spirit to serve as our eyes, replacing our spiritual blindness. Keep this in mind.
Furthermore, in this world, there is nothing but darkness, and it is so thick that we cannot even take a single step without stumbling or losing our way. Therefore, we need guidance, and our Lord Jesus Christ shows us the way. Our Lord Jesus enlightens us, not just by helping us or compensating for our deficiencies, but because we are utterly blind, even dead, and finally, we are in the depths of hell, just like a corpse in a grave. People may bring candles and torches to the grave, but they will not help the corpse see. Thus,
our Lord Jesus imparts His light to us, not to make us see more clearly than before but to fully restore our sight, since we are blind. Therefore, since Jesus Christ speaks in this manner and continually awakens us and helps us see more clearly, should we not follow His example and do our utmost to assist our neighbours when we see them straying toward destruction? This is the essence of the message being conveyed here.
Recognizing that our Lord Jesus sets Himself as an example and a pattern, we must be barbaric and uncaring if we remain unmoved. The Son of God not only undertakes His role of enlightening us, showing us the way of salvation, and awakening us from the spiritual slumber that enveloped us but, after enlightening us, He expects us to serve as beacons for others to follow, guiding the way. In this manner, He expects us to fulfill half of His role. Therefore, since the Son of God has bestowed such honour upon us, it would be treacherous to hide His light under a bushel and use it only for our own benefit and not for the benefit of others. Furthermore, if we think we have fulfilled our duty by merely abstaining from evil personally, while letting others head towards destruction, without caring or being willing to rectify the situation when we see the devil leading them towards eternal damnation, we are undoubtedly doing great injustice to God. Suppressing His light in this manner, we betray our neighbours and deprive them of the benefit that should lead to the eternal salvation of their souls. Therefore, we will be held accountable before both God and humanity, unless we heed what is being conveyed to us by our Lord Jesus Christ and always keep this doctrine in our hearts.
As professed Christians, we must consider ourselves as trumpeters, awakening those who are asleep and serving as guides to direct those who have strayed, bringing them back to the right path from which they have wandered. We must all act in this manner and continue to do so until we reach the joyful meeting when our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to join Him, granting us the inheritance He has acquired for us. Now let us humble
ourselves before the majesty of our good God, acknowledging our faults and praying that He may make us increasingly aware of them. May He not allow us to fall into a deep slumber like wretched unbelievers. Instead, as it is His will for our lives to be like a continuous day, not merely providing the sun to illuminate us temporarily, followed by nightfall, but governing us Himself both day and night, so that we may gain lasting benefit and not return to darkness after He has enlightened us. May He keep us steadfast on the holy path to which He has called us and guide us as we call others to follow Him, all the way until we unite together in His presence. May He grant this grace not only to us but to all people and nations of the earth, etc.
The Thirty Seventh Sermon, the Fifth on the Fifth
Chapter
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." - Ephesians 5:15-18
The concern we have for temporal profit will be sufficient to condemn us before God for the negligence evident in our lives when we consider our eternal well-being. We may try to escape blame by claiming that we did not think of it, but is it a tolerable fault that, when God calls us to Himself and offers us the gift of heavenly life, especially when He has revealed how this life was purchased and requires only that we glorify Him through true obedience, we neglect all of this? It seems that we are too shallow-minded, concerning ourselves with trivial matters that fade away, while
simultaneously despising the kingdom of heaven and God's service, regarding the salvation of our souls as insignificant. St. Paul exhorts us to be more vigilant than we have been in the past. He emphasizes that in such cases, we must rely on God and not assume that God will forgive us simply because of our ignorance when we are ensnared in worldly matters. We must not forget about the kingdom of heaven. He suggests that we should walk circumspectly, acknowledging that even if we are watchful of ourselves, we will still be susceptible to our weaknesses. We commit many faults, not only through ignorance but also knowingly. Often, we are not strong enough to resist temptation as we should. However, if we consider that we are constantly in the presence of God and His angels, we would conduct ourselves differently. This is why he calls for great care and circumspection so that no one falls into evil due to carelessness. To further motivate us, he adds that we must redeem the time because the days are evil. This implies that we cannot afford to misuse God's grace even slightly, as it would mean wasting precious time that cannot be recovered.